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On March 27, 2020, IRCC announced it is delaying the Parental Sponsorship draw due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), and IRCC's need to re-allocate resources to deal with the pandemic.
While the reasoning for the most recent delay is understandable, the initial delay announced on December 31, two days before the Parental Program historically opens, was not warranted. IRCC has been mishandling this program since it first changed the format in 2017.
For more information on the Parental Sponsorship Program, please visit our dedicated page
Individuals who are looking for other options to bring their parents to Canada and/or obtain permanent residence may consider applying for a Supervisa (a long term visitor visa) or hiring their mother as a Caregiver to care for their young children. Under the Caregiver work permit route, after working two years, they can obtain permanent residence through the Caregiver PR pathway. Our firm has helped many clients sponsor their parents or siblings through the Caregiver route.
In June 2019, IRCC introduced the new Caregiver pilot program. The changes to the program improved the conditions by the following:
Removed the requirement of obtaining an LMIA.
The work permit that is issued to the caregiver will be an Open Work Permit (allowing the caregiver to work for any employer in a role as a Caregiver).
The Caregiver can sponsor their spouse for an Open Work Permit (to work in any job for any employer), and also obtain visas to bring their children as well. This is a major change as for many years previously, Caregivers had to come to Canada alone as dependent family members could not obtain visas.
At the time of applying for the Caregiver Work Permit, a Permanent Resident application must also be submitted upfront. This eliminates the need to have to submit a PR application after working in Canada as a Caregiver for 2 years, and avoids delays in obtaining PR status.
For more information, contact our firm. Toll-free: 1.888.595.9596.
Matkowsky Immigration Law
